EMS Week will take place from May 16–22, 2021. To celebrate the extraordinary contributions of ambulance services to the communities they serve, we will be featuring specific services throughout EMS week on AAA’s website and social media.
If you would like to apply to have your service featured, please complete and submit all fields below by May 14. Thank you for your service to your community!
EMS Week will take place from May 16–22, 2021. To celebrate the extraordinary contributions of ambulance services to the communities they serve, we will be featuring specific services throughout EMS week on AAA’s website and social media.
If you would like to apply to have your service featured, please complete and submit all fields below by May 12. Thank you for your service to your community!
From EIIC, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center
EMS Week celebrates both the EMS profession and professionals for the vital role they play in the healthcare continuum. Each year, every weekday of EMS Week is appointed a theme that represents the multi-faceted nature of EMS. This section provides fact sheets, with a pediatric focus, identifying their importance, and providing ideas on ways to celebrate them.
Includes a customizable proclamation and a sample letter to a state or city official to attract public attention to your local activities by designating Wednesday of EMS Week, as EMS for Children Day.
Includes certificates of appreciation and thank you cards (for use by preschoolers, elementary students, teens/adults) to honor the EMS and acute care professionals for the work they do on behalf of children.
This includes social media graphics, web banners, email badges, and a postcard to help you spread the word about National EMS for Children Day.
Includes coloring pages, dot-to-dots, mazes, crosswords, and much more to enhance awareness among children on how to prepare for and respond to a health care emergency and how to prevent childhood injury and illness.
Includes fact sheets to promote greater awareness of EMSC activities, resources, and accomplishments
Please either or Join!
Sponsored Post | Affiliate Member
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 28th, 2021
Contact: Kelsey Binsley, Director, Marketing and Communications P: 330-407-1260 or E: kbinsley@ohiobilling.com
EMS Week 2021: Caring for Our Communities
(Bolivar, Ohio) – Ohio Billing, Inc. is announcing the continuation of their support of the annual campaign to honor EMS (Emergency Medical Services) professionals. National EMS Week, May 16 – 22 this year, is designed to pay tribute to the men and women who are always in service.
Ohio Billing, Inc salutes those men and women alongside these fine partners: Advatech, Brahlers, Buckeye Career Center, Cookies by Design, Hall Public Safety, HRN, IMS, P Fund, Penncare, Lisa Hoy/State Farm, UH Cleveland Clinic, VFIS, and Whelen, to deliver cookies to the over 100 EMS agencies Ohio Billing, Inc. serves.
“The courageous men and women who serve our communities often go without thanks. We believe that it is vital to recognize them for what they do each day,” noted Kelsey Binsley, Director of Marketing and Communications. “They have also had to embrace the new normal that is life during a pandemic, and they have done so without skipping a beat. They are our heroes.”
“We want to show our unwavering appreciation for what these individuals do for our communities while also supporting a local business during this uncertain time,” added Kelsey.
Ohio Billing, Inc. encourages you to take time to thank the heroes in your community that are called to care.
For more information, please contact Kelsey Binsley, Director of Marketing and Communications P: 330-407-1260 or E: kbinsley@ohiobilling.com
From the New York Times by Ali Watkins on April 25, 2021
Like & Share on Facebook | Retweet on Twitter
Strained by pandemic-era budget cuts, stress and a lack of revenue, at least 10 ambulance companies in Wyoming are in danger of shuttering — some imminently.
Washakie County’s conundrum is reflective of a troubling trend in Wyoming and states like it: The ambulance crews that service much of rural America have run out of money and volunteers, a crisis exacerbated by the demands of the pandemic and a neglected, patchwork 911 system. The problem transcends geography: In rural, upstate New York, crews are struggling to pay bills. In Wisconsin, older volunteers are retiring, and no one is taking their place.
From HHS ASPR TRACIE Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Information Gateway
This issue of The Express highlights the following new/updated resources:
Please continue to access our Novel Coronavirus Resources Page, the National Institutes of Health Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines, and CDC’s Coronavirus webpage, and reach out if you need technical assistance (TA). |
| New: COVID-19 and the Changing Healthcare Delivery Landscape (Speaker Series) |
| Paul Biddinger, MD, FACEP, Medical Director, Emergency Preparedness, Mass General Brigham; Mark Jarrett, MD, MBA, MS, Chief Quality Officer, SVP & Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Northwell Health; and Meghan Treber, MS, ICF TRACIE Program Director, HHS ASPR highlight the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare delivery (e.g., supply chain, patients delaying emergency care, the delay of elective procedures, and financial impacts to the healthcare system) in this brief recording. Access the rest of the Healthcare Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic speaker series for more information. |
| Updated: Healthcare Delivery Impacts Tip Sheet and Summary Document |
| This updated tip sheet describes the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 related community mitigation measures on the healthcare system, including morbidity and mortality from chronic health conditions and lack of access. The accompanying summary document can help healthcare system planners prepare to mitigate these potential healthcare delivery impacts. |
| New: Acute Care Delivery at Home Tip Sheet |
| Some healthcare providers and systems have been providing hospital-level care in patient’s homes for years; others have implemented acute care delivery at home models in response to overcrowding at hospitals due to COVID-19. This tip sheet provides an overview of characteristics of various types of acute care delivery at home programs to help healthcare providers better understand this care model. |
| Issue 12: COVID-19 and Healthcare Professional Stress and Resilience |
| The articles in Issue 12 of The Exchange focus on three categories: understanding acute and chronic stressors in the healthcare worker population, identifying at-risk employees, and promising practices in building resilience. Be on the lookout for Issue 13, which will focus on the significant contributions made by supportive care providers and healthcare engineering representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Mind Over Matter: Strategies to Help Combat the Coronavirus Blues |
| This document (created by the COVID-19 Schools Task Force, FEMA Region VII, and HHS Region 7) summarizes the contents of the Mind Over Matter Resource Guide, which can be used to support messaging for college and university campus communities to help combat COVID-19 fatigue and promote general wellness, both during and after the pandemic. |
| UCSD Health Medical Cyber Disaster Preparedness Study |
| The University of California San Diego (UCSD) is interested in better understanding how cybersecurity and cyber attacks impact our hospital systems and how we can better prepare in the future. This brief survey will provide a basic understanding of where we stand nationally on healthcare cyber preparedness. Your responses will be kept confidential and all data will be deidentified and reported in FEMA regions. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete. You will receive no compensation for your participation and participation in this research is voluntary. The principal investigator of this study can be contacted at:
Dr. Christian Dameff, MD University of California San Diego Department of Emergency Medicine 200 W. Arbor Dr. #8676 San Diego, CA 92103
COVID-19 Clinical Rounds Peer-to-Peer Virtual Communities of Practice are a collaborative effort between ASPR, the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC), and Project ECHO. These interactive virtual learning sessions aim to create a peer-to-peer learning network where clinicians from the U.S. and abroad who have experience treating patients with COVID-19 share their challenges and successes; a generous amount of time for participant Q & A is also provided. These webinar topics are covered every week:
Access previous webinars and special topic sessions and sign up today to receive information on upcoming events. |
Yesterday, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2021 (H.R. 2454). Congresswoman Sewell was joined by Congressmen Devin Nunes (R-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as primary cosponsors and leads on the legislation.
H.R. 2454 would extend the temporary Medicare ground ambulance increases of 2% urban, 3% rural and the super rural bonus payment for five years. The increases are currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022. The five-year extension would allow for the increases to remain in place during the two-year delay on ambulance data collection period due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. It would also permit the cost collection program to move forward so that the statutorily mandated MedPAC analysis could be completed before the Congress would have to act to either further extend the add-ons or make them permanent through reforming the Medicare ambulance fee schedule.
The legislation would help address potential problems that rural zip codes in large urban counties could face as a result of the 2020 census data. As we saw after the 2010 Census, the new Census data collection methodology resulted in geographical changes under the fee schedule that shifted rural ZIP codes to urban, despite there being no significant change in their population. The current definition using rural urban commuting areas (RUCA) in Goldsmith Modification areas would be modified to ensure ZIP codes with 1,000 people or less per square mile would remain rural. Ground ambulance service providers and suppliers could also petition the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make the argument that a specific ZIP code should remain rural. It is vital that this provision be implemented before CMS makes changes from the 2020 Census data which will likely occur in 2023.
The AAA has been leading the effort on the legislation with the support of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of EMTs and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
The AAA is working with champions of the effort in the Senate on introduction of a companion bill. We expect the bill to be introducing in the coming weeks.
The legislation is one of the policy issues being raised as part of EMS on the Hill Day and the AAA will be launching a Call To Action shortly requesting AAA members to ask their members of Congress to cosponsor the bill.
We greatly appreciate the leadership of Representatives Sewell, Nunes, Welch and Mullin on this vital issue.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Tammy Chatman, Public Affairs
414-791-6655
New dates and location announced
Washington, D.C. (April 4, 2021) – The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF) and the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) announce that the 2021 National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor, originally scheduled for May has been moved to July 23-25, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA. The goal for the reschedule was to balance our commitment to provide a safe and healing environment for all attendees while providing special recognition for the many participants who remain on the front-line of the COVID-19 response. The ceremonies will pay tribute to the past two year’s honorees-2019-2020-due to the cancellation of the 2020 events in response to the pandemic.
For those attending the Weekend of Honor and staying overnight, we ask that you please use the link below when booking your hotel rooms. The health and well-being of all who attend are of the upmost importance to our organizations and the hosting facility. Use of the link is critical as it allows our organizations and the hotel to better meet CDC guidelines for safe in-person gatherings over the three days.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASRC/G-A8DT
*For any issues please contact the hotel at 877-803-7534
The Weekend includes a series of events to honor all air and ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers who serve in the US, while focusing on those who become ill or injured related to their duty. It culminates with a formal Service to specifically honor those who have died in the line-of-duty.
Brian Shaw, NEMSMBR president states “For the past 20 years the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor begin with the arrival of our cyclist and support personnel meeting the honoree families. With that tradition in mind, and in addition to the five nationwide bike rides we have planned for September of this year, we are actively preparing a one-day ride into this year’s Weekend of Honor befitting our honorees. We will continue to shine a light on the sacrifices those in EMS make. More details will be posted on our website www.nemsmbr.org as they become available.”
This year’s National EMS Memorial Service will pay tribute to over one hundred EMS providers who died in the line-of-duty in the largest service we have ever performed. It will include numerous historical honorees as well a number of recipients directly related to the pandemic. Jana Williams, NEMSMS president conveyed, “I reaffirm there has never been a more defining time to honor the service and sacrifice of those in EMS as there remains right now. Despite persistent challenges, we remain committed that the fallen will not be forgotten. We appreciate the continued support to ensure they receive the full national recognition they deserve.” The list of honorees and information on the weekend’s events including the National EMS Moment of Silence will be posted to the NEMSMS website at www.national-ems-memorial.org in the coming weeks.
Katie Orsino, NEMSMF executive director shared “We support our partners at the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and the National EMS Memorial Service as they prepare modified events this year to honor our EMS colleagues. What our first responders have demonstrated especially over the last year has been extraordinary. It reinforces our resolve to bring a permanent EMS memorial to the nation’s capital to honor their commitment, service, and sacrifice. We will not waiver in our efforts to ensure it becomes reality.” Updates on the progress of this effort can be found on at www.emsmemorial.org.
The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. See http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/ for more information on the specific updates as they become available.
CONTACT
Tracy Hilsabeck
760-815-8432
thilsabeck@redflashgroup.com
For Immediate Release
ACEP and NAEMT campaign celebrates emergency medical services professionals May 16-21, 2021
March 26, 2021—WASHINGTON, DC—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), is proud to announce the EMS Week 2021 theme: THIS IS EMS: CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. The annual campaign recognizes the heroes who provide emergency medical services in communities across the country and takes place May 16th -21st this year.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to test EMS professionals like never before,” said Mark Rosenberg, DO, MBA, FACEP, president of ACEP. “EMTs, paramedics and other frontline workers are rising to the challenge and each has a crucial role in responding to the public health crisis of our lifetime. National EMS Week is a time to recognize and honor EMS professionals for their tireless dedication to their communities—not just during this pandemic but every day.”
Under the “EMS Strong” banner, the campaign supports and strengthens the EMS community by honoring accomplishments and increasing awareness of the critical role of EMS in communities across the country. Inspiring stories about EMS practitioners can be found on www.EMSSTRONG.org along with the annual EMS Week Planning Guide, a resource for the EMS community and stakeholders to help celebrate EMS Week and promote the value of emergency medical services.
“Throughout the pandemic, EMS has been on the frontlines, caring for the sickest COVID-19 patients, while also staffing COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics,” said Chief Bruce Evans, CFO, SPO, NRP, MPA, president of NAEMT. “EMS Week is a chance for communities to come together and express their gratitude for EMS practitioners. Our nation’s paramedics and EMTs, as well as their families, have been through so much. Recognizing their service and sacrifices is an important step in healing and recovery from the stress and intensity of the past year.”
EMS Week dedicates five days to specific themes, and first responders are encouraged to plan activities and events around these themes in their communities.
Integral to the campaign’s success is the involvement and support from the corporate sponsors, strategic association partners and strategic media partners.
Corporate Supporters: FirstNet Built with AT&T, Genentech, T-Mobile for Government, American Red Cross, NHTSA/Office of EMS, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), AdvancedCPR Solutions, Boundtree Medical, Laerdal Medical, McKesson Medical-Surgical and North American Rescue.
Strategic Association Partners: American Ambulance Association, Association of Air Medical Services, Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education, Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Flight and Critical Care Paramedics, International Public Safety Association, National Association of EMS Educators, National Association of EMS Physicians, National Association of State EMS Officials, National EMS Management Association, National Fire Protection Association, National Registry of EMTs and National Volunteer Fire Council.
Strategic Media Partners: EMS1.com, EMS World and JEMS/EMS Today. Visit www.EMSSTRONG.org for more information about 2021 EMS Week.
###
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members and the more than 150 million Americans they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit www.acep.org and www.emergencyphysicians.org.
Formed in 1975 and more than 72,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is the only national association representing the professional interests of all emergency and mobile healthcare practitioners, including emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, paramedics, advanced practice paramedics, critical care paramedics, flight paramedics, community paramedics and mobile integrated healthcare practitioners. NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government agencies, fire departments, hospital- based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings and in the military. For more information, visit www.naemt.org.
From Emergicon Public Relations
Contact:
Chris Kelley
214.457.5266
EMERGICON Garners Two Awards for Fast-Growing, Private Companies
Dallas 100 and Inc. 5000 Texas recognize premier ambulance billing service provider
(TERRELL, TX – March 31, 2021) – EMERGICON, Texas’ largest ambulance billing provider, has been named to two award lists that recognize the fastest-growing, privately held organizations. The company placed:
The company growth was further evident in Fall 2020 with EMERGICON’s relocation and expansion of its headquarters to Terrell, Texas. The 15,000-sf facility now houses some 85+ employees.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for our fast growth by two well-respected award programs in Texas in the same year,” says EMERGICON’s Founder and CEO Christopher Turner, MHA. “More so, the awards mean that we are being effective in helping EMS providers and Fire Departments in Texas improve their emergency medical billing process and increase their patient reimbursements.”
Turner continues, “We’re fanatical about building a great culture and serving Texas EMS providers’ greater mission. The entire team at EMERGICON shares the belief that service comes first, as we support the first responders who save lives and the patients who needed that help in an emergency.”
The Dallas 100 awards, presented by the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, ranks the top 100 fastest-growing, privately owned businesses in the DFW Metroplex. The 2020 award ranking was based on company revenues over the three-year period from 2017 to 2019.
The Inc. 5000 Regional awards, presented by Inc. Magazine, rank the top 250 fastest-growing private companies in Texas from 2017-2019. Over that period, EMERGICON experienced a 50% growth rate. The company was previously recognized on the Inc. 5000 national lists in 2020 and 2019.
ABOUT EMERGICON
As the largest Texas-owned and Texas-based emergency medical services billing company, EMERGICON provides a better solution for processing ambulance billing claims. The company provides a human-based approach to claims management which results in better cash collections and fewer patient complaints than automated services. Founded in 2006, its team is dedicated to compliance, provider reimbursement, and customer service. Learn more at www.emergicon.com or visit its sister company EMERGIFIRE at www.emergifire.com.
March 18, 2021, 3:54 PM EDT
Features Empress EMS and REMSA!
By Phil McCausland
During the height of the pandemic, a quiet financial crisis was brewing for ambulance companies.
As hospitals became overwhelmed and patients begged not to be taken to crowded emergency rooms for fear of potential infection, paramedics and emergency medical technicians began treating patients where they met them — outside homes, alongside roadways, in parking lots.
The trouble is that ambulance companies are only paid to transport people, not for treating them.
Now, an aid package in the American Rescue Plan and a new federal health care program could provide a financial lifeline for ambulance companies and herald a permanent shift in emergency medicine as a whole.
The attempt to reimburse ambulance companies began with a bill introduced by Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., but the legislation was ultimately rolled into the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill. Cortez Masto voted for the plan, and Cassidy did not.
“Our first responders have gone above and beyond in caring for patients during the pandemic, and it’s just wrong that ambulance companies weren’t getting paid unless they took patients to the hospital,” Cortez Masto said.
Also Adds Dollars to the Provider Relief Fund to Support Rural Providers and Suppliers
March 10, 2021
Moments ago, the House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing “The American Rescue Plan.” Among the many provisions, this legislation includes waiver authority to allow the Medicare program to reimburse for ground ambulance services provided during the COVID-19 public health emergency when the beneficiary has not been transported under certain circumstances. It also increases the Provider Relief Fund by $8.5 billion, targeting the money to rural providers and suppliers, including ground ambulance services.
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) worked diligently with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reimburse ground ambulance services when they provide health care services to a beneficiary, but because of the pandemic the beneficiary was not transported. CMS concluded and communicated in a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) that the Social Security Act requires the beneficiary to be transported in order for Medicare to reimburse the ground ambulance provider or supplier for the care provided.
To address this problem during the pandemic, Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced S. 149 that would allow CMS to waive the statutory provision creating the barrier to reimbursement during the pandemic. More specifically, it would allow CMS to reimburse ground ambulance services responding to a 9-1-1 or equivalent emergency call even when the beneficiary is not transported when a community-wide EMS protocol prohibiting the transport is in place. Reps. Cindy Axne (D-IA), John Larson (D-CT), and Bruce Westerman (R-AR) introduced the companion bill, H.R. 1609, in the House.
The Senate included S. 149 in “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,” which passed the Senate 50-49 on March 6. This amended version passed the House along party lines earlier today and the President is expected to sign the bill into law before March 14.
CMS must exercise its authority under the waiver for the provision to be implemented. The AAA has already begun working with CMS to urge it to act as quickly as possible and we are coordinating this effort with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of EMTs, National Volunteer Fire Council and the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
In addition to the waiver allowing for reimbursement for treatment in place, the final bill includes $8.5 billion additional dollars for the Provider Relief Fund directed to rural health care providers and suppliers. The funds can be used for health care related expenses and lost revenues that are attributable to COVID–19. To be eligible for a payment, an eligible rural health care provider or supplier must be enrolled Medicare or Medicaid and submit to the Secretary an application that includes a justification statement, documentation of the expenses or losses, the tax identification number, assurance required by the Secretary, and any other information the Secretary requires. The expenses and losses cannot have been reimbursed from another source or another source cannot already be obligated to reimburse.
“The American Rescue Act” marks an important step forward for ground ambulance organizations who have been on the front line of the pandemic and offers important relief recognizing the unique and essential role these organizations play in community response to the pandemic.
For more information on the provisions of the bill that impact ground ambulance services, please sign up for the webinar on “The American Rescue Plan and EMS” scheduled for this Friday, March 12, at 2:00 pm (eastern).
From California Senator Bill Dodd on March 5
VALLEJO – Helen Pierson, whose company, Medic Ambulance Service, has been on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, transporting some of the first people exposed to the virus on the Princess Cruise ship and later, organizing mobile testing and vaccine dissemination, has been named Woman of the Year for Solano County by Sen. Bill Dodd.
“Helen stepped up in a major way, helping to keep our community safe during one of the worst public health crises the world has ever seen,” Sen. Dodd said. “She leads a dedicated team that Solano County and the surrounding region has come to depend on. She also volunteers her time and energy for numerous community organizations. I couldn’t be more proud to recognize Helen for her important work.”
“We love our community, which has done so much to support us over the years,” Helen Pierson said. “It’s an honor to be recognized. My parents and big brother started this company four decades ago, and we have a great group of medical professionals who deserve so much of the credit for our success today.”
Medic Ambulance, founded by the Manfredi family in 1979, provides 911 emergency services for Solano County with its fleet of 70 ambulances and 350 employees. The company also serves parts of the greater Sacramento area and North Bay.
Helen Pierson started with the company in 1988 and was named CEO in 2019. Under her leadership, Medic Ambulance played a key role in pandemic response as well as serving communities impacted by severe wildfires. The company was among the first in the nation to treat and transport COVID-19 patients as they came into Travis AFB in early 2020. It later partnered with Solano County to provide mobile coronavirus testing to at-risk facilities and expanded this partnership to mobile vaccinations. Additionally, Medic Ambulance deployed ambulance strike teams to Kern, Santa Cruz, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Butte and Solano counties over the past year.
Helen is a past-president of the California Ambulance Association — only the second woman in the association’s 65-year history to hold this position. She also plays key roles in many community organizations including Vallejo Rotary, Leadership Vallejo and Saint Francis High School in Sacramento. She was recognized as the Kiwanian of the Year in 1993 and was Vallejo Rotary Club president for 2015-2016. Helen is a past board member of Christian Brothers High School.
She lives in Fairfield with her husband and has three adult children who work in her family business.
###
Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.
DEADLINE REMINDER: Apply now for rural EMS training and recruiting grants
Eligible applicants from rural EMS agencies are encouraged to submit applications before March 18, 2021
EMS organizations planning on applying for a Rural EMS Training Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment must submit applications by March 18. SAMHSA plans on awarding up to $5.5 million in awards to help eligible agencies recruit and train personnel. More information is available on SAMHSA’s website.
In recognition of the great need for emergency services in rural areas and the critical role EMS personnel serve across the country, SAMHSA plans on funding up to 27 projects, with a maximum of $200,000 per grant awardee. Eligible applicants include rural EMS agencies operated by a local or tribal government (fire-based and non-fire based) and non-profit EMS agencies.
From Minnesota Public Radio
Paramedic Heidi Rennick describes her first COVID-19 call last spring like “walking on to a movie set.”
When she arrived at the hospital, there were COVID-19-only floors, red tape and full beds.
The challenges have mounted since those first cases, and emergency medical services across the state have adapted with new protocols, treatment plans and personal protective equipment — and in some smaller communities, where emergency medical services are volunteer-operated, shifts have been hard to fill.
Rennick, a staff paramedic, and EMT John Aldrich work together for Lakes Region EMS, covering the Chisago Lakes area, north of the Twin Cities.
From VeryWell Health on February 7
We all know that ambulances respond to 911 calls, rushing down the street with sirens wailing and lights flashing. The paramedics are on the way to save lives. When they arrive at the scene, they’ll take control of the situation and find the solution to the problems. The patient will be stabilized and transported to an emergency department for definitive care.
From RUPRI in January 2021
Rural ambulance agencies, a fundamental component of the rural emergency medical services (EMS) system, are challenged by the following issues:
- long distances and challenging terrain that prolong emergency response and transport times,
- insufficient payment by insurers to cover standby and fixed costs,
- a changing workforce that has historically relied on volunteers but increasingly must include paid personnel,
- a lack of regional EMS plans to coordinate services, and
- insufficient State and Federal policy coordination across oversight agencies.
Specific public policies to address rural ambulance agency challenges could include the following:
- Increase ambulance payment to adequately cover reasonable standby and fixed costs.
- Consider EMS an essential service, the same as firefighting and law enforcement.
- Collect rural ambulance agency workforce data to better understand workforce needs.
- Expand the scope and authority of the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS to address rural ambulance agency payment and workforce challenges.
Grammy nominated recording artist Wale Folarin, Cedric Sanders, Jackson White, Colin Woodell and Olivia Stambouliah are joining Michael Bay’s Endeavor Content-Universal action thriller Ambulance, we have learned.
The five join the growing cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez, Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O’Donnell and Moses Ingram.
Tthe pic is based off the original Danish Film Ambulancen and in the spirit of such 1990s action pics as Speed and Bad Boys. Chris Fedak wrote the original script. Bay, Bradley Fischer of New Republic Pictures, James Vanderbilt, Will Sherak and Ian Bryce are producing. Michael Kase and Mark Moran are EPs.
Yesterday, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D- NV) and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) introduced legislation (S. 149) to allow for Medicare reimbursement under certain circumstances of treatment in place by ground ambulance service organizations during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The AAA applauds the efforts of Senators Cortez Masto and Bill Cassidy as well as the Senate Finance Committee and Leadership.
S. 149 would provide the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with the authority to waive the requirement that a patient be transported to a medical facility in order for the ground ambulance service provider or supplier to receive Medicare reimbursement. The waiver would apply to 9-1-1 emergency ambulance services in which the transport did not occur as a result of “community-wide EMS protocols” due to the public health emergency. While the bill would not apply to situations in which a patient declines transport due to COVID-19 exposure concerns as advocated by the AAA, S. 149 is a significant step in the right direction to recognize ground ambulance services not being reimbursed during the pandemic.
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) along with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) have spearheaded efforts for the Congress to provide CMS with waiver authority for treatment in place. We will be pushing to include the language of S. 149 in the COVID-19 stimulus package currently being negotiated between the White House and the Congress.
For the official statement of the AAA on the introduction of S. 149, please click here.